Congratulations to our first Athletes of the Day at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. On the first day of competition of the eleventh edition of the Games, the speed skater Geiny Pajaro from Colombia and the finswimmer Max Poschart from Germany were presented with a certificate and a gift, provided by Protective Life.
When it comes to Geiny Pajaro, the early bird catches the award. The skater from Colombia became the first Champion at the Games. At 9:30 in the morning she secured the title. After clocking 18.894 seconds in the 200-meter time trial final, the 24-year-old was able to skate her lap of honor on the Powell Avenue Steam Plant track with the Colombian flag over her shoulders. Geiny Pajaro had already won gold in the 300-meter time trial at The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. There could be no doubt about it: she deserved the title "First Athlete of the Day".
Max Poschart was pleased to receive a medal upgrade this time around. The German won a silver medal at the 2017 Games in Poland. On Friday, he converted it into gold. The 27-year-old was unbeatable in the 100-metre surface final, winning the first of 16 events in finswimming. It took him just 34:50 seconds to complete the 100 metres.
80 minutes later, he swam to bronze in the relay together with Justus Morstedt, Malte Striegler and Robert Golenia. The first gold medalist for Germany at the Birmingham Games, who had already shown very good form throughout the season, Max introduced himself on The World Games Instagram channel in a story takeover in late 2021. He concluded his post with the phrase "See you in Birmingham." And he had reason to look forward to The World Games: Max Poschart who was the best on Friday, and stood on top of the podium at the Cross Plex Natatorium.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries will take part in The World Games.